RAPID CITY, S.D. — A hiker was rescued Monday night after sustaining a broken wrist near Hippie Hole, a popular swimming area in the Black Hills. Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to the incident, which concluded around midnight.
According to the Pennington County Fire Service, the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, Keystone Ambulance, and Pennington County Search and Rescue were dispatched at 8:15 p.m. on July 7, 2025, for an injured hiker.
The incident occurred when a group of individuals, after visiting Hippie Hole, became disoriented on their return to their vehicles. They reportedly crossed the creek and attempted to ascend a rock scree on the south side of the creek, just below the Foster Gulch parking lot, when one hiker fell and broke his wrist.
After establishing contact and obtaining coordinates for the injured party, emergency responders determined that accessing the patient from Highway 40 would be the most efficient approach. Crews hiked gear into the area, reaching the injured individual around 9:50 p.m.
The hiker, unable to walk out on their own, was secured in a stokes basket. A rope system was then established to facilitate moving the patient up the rock scree to a more accessible location where they could be wheeled out.
The rescue operation was successfully completed around 11:30 p.m., with all responding units clearing the scene by midnight. The incident highlights the potential hazards of hiking in the rugged terrain of the Black Hills.
